Mickey Magee

Gerard H. Magee Jr., known to all as “Mickey Magee”, died peacefully at home with his wife and family on the 30th day of May, 2015. Mickey spent his younger years living on Long Island at 21 Lincoln Street. As a child he enjoyed eating ice cream, playing baseball and riding horses on Sundays. He attended Chaminade High School and later Holy Cross College, followed by Fordham University School of Law. After his Dad’s passing, he took over the family fuel oil business, “Magee Fuel Oil,” later selling and working for the company until his retirement.

In 1977 he met the love of his life, the former Pat Stanton. They were married on horseback on June 22,1977, combining their families-- his children aged 10, 9, 8, and 3, as well as her children aged 5 and 1. Eventually they had two more children, completing their family of 10!

Mickey lived with his wife, Pat and their eight children in Babylon, NY at 324 Fire Island Ave. As a big and loving family, they frequently camped at Heckscher Park, tubed in Delaware, and vacationed in Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks, and Disney. Mickey valued family traditions like pizza on Friday nights, steak on Sundays, and baseball games cheering for the Mets at Shea Stadium. There was always room at the dinner table for anyone that wanted to join, whether grandparents, friends, or neighborhood children. Mickey’s generous spirit made all feel welcomed and loved. Mickey taught his children the importance of eating as a family, saying grace, working in the garden and serving the Lord, among other things.

In 1996, Mickey and Pat retired to New Bern, North Carolina, joining the Carolina Pines community. With this new schedule, Mickey enjoyed time playing golf and gardening in his yard. He became a Master Gardener and as a life-long lover of history, he became a tour guide at Fort Macon.

Although in his retirement, his real work had just begun as he dedicated his life to the Lord and touched the lives of all he encountered. As an apprentice of Jesus Christ, he moved where the spirit sent him, serving at the United Methodist Church of Havelock, New Song United Methodist Church, Temple Baptist Church, and most recently, Latitude Church. He graciously and enthusiastically helped wherever he was needed, whether setting up chairs, leading home groups, mentoring young men, working with children, parking cars, or serving on committees and boards.

He and his wife found their true passion when they began working in the Marriage Ministry, offering pre-marriage counseling and “Marriage on the Rock” classes to hundreds of couples young and old. Again Mickey shared his love, teaching the importance of a God-centered marriage and sharing meals in the footsteps of Jesus.

Mickey was an avid writer and felt closest to God when putting pen to paper. He rose early each morning to read his Bible and write what was in his heart. In the last few weeks of his life, his dream of being an author came true, as his poem “The Christmas Camel” was published.

Even in death, Mickey’s work is not done as he lives forever in the hearts of those who knew him. His wisdom and gentle spirit continues to speak to the souls of the people he left behind.

In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Alper, his six sons: Gerry and his wife Renee, Chris and his wife Tara, Ben and his wife Leila, David, Jon and his wife Lisa, and Kevin and his wife Michele, as well as two daughters: Mimi Magee and Katie and her husband Brian. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Little Gerry, Isabelle, Erin, Jordan, Nick, Noah, Ethan, Josh, Olivia, Alex, Reese, Julia, Sam, and Elizabeth.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 10:30 at New Song United Methodist Church, 521 West Grantham Rd. Visitation will be held on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at Cotten Funeral Home, 2201 Neuse Blvd, from 6:00-8:00pm.

Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials, in Mickey’s name, may be made to Latitude Church, 1914 Dr M L King Jr Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560 or Continuum Home Care and Hospice.